James and Al fire off on the extreme actions of Republican state governments in Texas and Tennessee that are actively undermining our country. Then, they welcome revered journalist Thomas Edsall to discuss the Right’s radical rejection of centrism and former D.C. Police Officer Michael Fanone to share his experiences at The Capitol on J6 with insight into how he now feels about the MAGA movement. Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon . Make...
Apr 13, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 192
James and Al break down the recent elections of a Democrat Supreme Court Justice in Wisconsin and for the next mayor of Chicago. They also hold court on Donald’s arraignment and its political impact, the other charges he faces in jurisdictions across the country, and how the electorate thinks about him now. Now that the Republicans look weak, is this the perfect time to press them on their failure to produce a budget? Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet the...
Apr 06, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 191
James and Al emphasize the case for sensible gun reform and bring on Rep. Dan Goldman to break down the legal threats facing Donald, the potential for indictment, and the risk Michael Cohen poses in NYC. Then, they welcome sports expert John Feinstein to give us the latest updates on the state of college basketball and what to expect during the finals of March Madness. Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon . Make sure to include your city, ...
Mar 30, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 190
James and Al are joined by Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler to discuss their critical upcoming Supreme Court election that will decide the balance of power in their state’s justice system. At stake is the right to abortion that faces draconian limitations, and voting suppression initiatives that threaten democracy and hand elections to Republicans for years to come. Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon . Make sure to include you...
Mar 23, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 189
James and Al give their insights on March Madness and welcome former ambassador to Egypt Frank Wisner and storied congressional representative Barney Frank. In their conversations they discuss the Iranian-Saudi relationship, how China plays into the modern diplomatic landscape, and examine the recent financial troubles facing banks like SVB across the nation. Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon . Make sure to include your city, we love to...
Mar 16, 2023•59 min•Ep. 188
James and Al celebrate President Biden’s defense of Medicare before welcoming strategist Jim Gerstein and transportation expert Jeff Davis. In their conversation, they discuss the breakdown of Israeli politics and how the rise of their Right wing mirrors Trumpism in the USA, before taking on the logistical difficulties involved in upgrading our transportation infrastructure and preventing disasters in Middle America. Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them...
Mar 09, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 187
James and Al take on the anti-woke focus of Ron DeSantis, and dive into the recent electoral battles from Wisconsin to Chicago that are defining the next phase of our country’s future. Then, they welcome MD Governor Wes Moore to discuss the importance of creating opportunity in tech, building up minority constituents, and enacting policy that supports the needs of workers and children. Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon . Make sure to in...
Mar 02, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 186
James and Al dive into the budding 2024 race and emphasize the importance of the WI Supreme Court elections. Then, they welcome journalist Marcy Wheeler to explain the pernicious influence of Russia on the MAGA Republicans, followed by Professor Morgan Cloud to discuss the recent grand jury developments targeting Trump’s actions in GA during the 2020 elections. Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon . Make sure to include your city, we love ...
Feb 23, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 185
James and Al share their thoughts on Trump’s new nickname for DeSantis, recent natural disasters and the war in Europe. Then, they welcome Rep. Colin Allred to share a Super Bowl retrospective and discuss the House weaponization committee, retaking Red States, and fighting for racial progress when Republicans are censoring the Black experience in the education of our children. Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon . Make sure to include you...
Feb 16, 2023•59 min•Ep. 184
James and Al review the strong SOTU speech by President Biden and take on the Timid 20 in the Republican caucus who refuse to stand up to their side’s extremists. Then, they welcome Greg Cosell for an in-depth analysis of Super Bowl LVII and to hear his winner prediction, followed by MS gubernatorial candidate Brandon Presley to discuss his upcoming race and how Democrats can retake the South. Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon . Make su...
Feb 09, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 183
James and Al break down the ridiculous debt ceiling fight sparked by the Republicans and skewer the 2024 Republican primary field that could lead to an independent run by Trump. Then, they’re joined by law professor and author David Harris to examine current policing policies that have led to disastrous outcomes, the role of systemic racism, and how we can reform the force. Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon . Make sure to include your c...
Feb 02, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 182
James and Al discuss the traitors in our midst like former counter intelligence official and FBI agent Charles McGonigal, and how Russia continues to upend our politics. Then, they are joined by former NATO Supreme Commander Admiral James Stravridis to discuss the facts on the ground in Ukraine, the need for Western aid, and how things might end, before looking at how our readiness compares to potential threats from China. Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or twee...
Jan 26, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 181
James and Al look at the weaknesses of the GOP caucus and the difficulty they will have in taking congressional action. Then, they welcome legal expert Andrew Weissmann to discuss the process that goes into investigations of our politicians with a particular focus on the differences between the recent finds of classified documents at the homes of Trump and President Biden. Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon . Make sure to include your ci...
Jan 19, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 180
James and Al decimate the insanity of the incoming Republican congress with a strong defense of immigration and President Biden. Then, they welcome Princeton’s Julian Zelizer to discuss the many myths in our collective memory going from the Revolutionary War all the way to the so-called Reagan Revolution that continue to define the way we think about our country and our politics. Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon . Make sure to include ...
Jan 12, 2023•50 min•Ep. 179
In the midst of the Republican’s farcical battle to elect the next Speaker of the House, James and Al are joined by NYT’s Washington expert Carl Hulse for deeper insight into the proceedings. They discuss Rep. McCarthy’s prospects, the effect of the proposed motion to vacate, and what the disarray means for critical legislation and the future of the next congress– with a little bit of football thrown in. Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politico...
Jan 05, 2023•51 min•Ep. 178
With 2023 almost here, James and Al ring in the new year with friends George Stevens, Jill Abramson, Fred Wertheimer, and Jane Mayer. Together, they discuss the current state of the media and entertainment, before forecasting the political future of the speakership, the presidency, dark money, and the Ukraine-Russia war– with a solid takedown of lying George Santos. Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon . Make sure to include your city, we ...
Dec 29, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 177
With Christmas just around the corner, James and Al welcome their wives Judy Woodruff and Mary Matalin to ring in the season with some holiday stories. Then, they take on the corruption of the Republican party, contrast Trump and Nixon, and lay out the perils of dark money and why it’s a winning issue. Should the Democrats be focused on the big issues with more than 2/3rds support instead of wedge topics catering to the base? Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or t...
Dec 22, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 176
James and Al summon political consultant and the mastermind behind the win of Senator Warnock in Georgia, Quentin Fulks, to analyze how their campaign won its critical run-off election for majority control. They also discuss the ways campaigns in swing states can broaden their appeal, how to bring voters with Democratic sympathies back to the polls, and what it might look like if the party adopted a 50 state strategy. Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet the...
Dec 15, 2022•1 hr•Ep. 175
James and Al are joined by UF Political Science Prof. Michael McDonald to discuss the factors that led to the re-election of Sen. Warnock in GA, the weakness of MAGA, and how minorities and turn-out play a key role in victory. They also look at the issues that bring voters to the polls, why Democrats overperformed expectations in the midterms, and what to do to make sure it keeps happening in 2024 and beyond. Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @pol...
Dec 08, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 174
James and Al are joined by Arizona Congressman Ruben Gallego for a wide ranging conversation covering everything from the prospects of the newly elected House and who might lead each party, to the desires of AZ voters and how to keep the state voting Blue. They also do a deep dive into border issues, focusing on how to support immigration and win elections with smart and nuanced policy. Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon . Make sure to i...
Dec 01, 2022•56 min•Ep. 173
In this special episode exploring the pernicious effects of dark money on our politics, James and Al welcome Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, investigative journalist Jane Mayer, and former AZ AG Terry Goddard. They dive into how dark money is corrupting our political parties, the Supreme Court, and our electoral systems, while naming some of the biggest offenders. More importantly, they also share the ways we can fight back! Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet ...
Nov 24, 2022•55 min•Ep. 172
James and Al take on the greed of oil companies and the dark money fueling the Republican takeover of the judicial system before bringing on Rep. Ro Khanna to explore the role of progressives, how they play into the future of liberalism, and their place in the Democratic party. Then, they pivot to author Tyler Bridges to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the infamous Stanford v. Cal football game. Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon . Mak...
Nov 17, 2022•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 171
With the midterm results continuing to come in with a strong showing for Democrats, James and Al bring on NYT contributor and author of ‘Weapons of Mass Delusion’ Robert Draper to dive into why many expectations of a red wave got upended. They cover the weaknesses of the Republican candidates, the electoral hazards of playing into Trumpian delusions, and if the Right has finally been taken to task by voters. Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @poli...
Nov 10, 2022•57 min•Ep. 170
James and Al fire off on the forces in the Democratic Party driving away voters and bring on pollster Stanley Greenberg to explore the numbers behind the issues that are defining the midterms. They examine how proposed policy and language affects the electorate with a view towards what works and what doesn’t, before diving into elections in Israel and other countries around the world. Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon . Make sure to inc...
Nov 03, 2022•57 min•Ep. 169
James and Al bring on Associate Editor of the Financial Times Ed Luce to discuss the fall of Liz Truss, the high turnover of the UK’s Prime Ministers, and what to expect going forward under Rishi Sunak. Then, they’re joined by expert on Pennsylvania politics Jonathan Tamari from the Philadelphia Inquirer to lay out the factors defining the midterm races there, weigh the candidates, and look ahead to what to expect on November 8th. Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected]...
Oct 27, 2022•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 168
Facing a world in chaos and with early voting in Georgia surprising observers, James and Al bring on foreign policy expert David Ignatius and Georgia political specialist Stephen Fowler to break down the latest. In their discussion, they look at the state of the midterm elections in Georgia after the debates, and explore the latest from the Ukraine War, and the growing political discontent in Iran. Do we dare hope Iran can one day become an ally? Email your questions to James and Al at politicsw...
Oct 20, 2022•53 min•Ep. 167
Now that the midterms are only a few weeks away, James and Al summon WaPo political reporter and Arizona expert Yvonne Wignett Sanchez for a deep dive into the crucial gubernatorial and senate races there. In their analysis, they discuss the impact of MAGA extremism and transplanted voters, the decisive importance of latinos and suburbanites, and compare the candidates while looking ahead to 2024. Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon . Mak...
Oct 13, 2022•52 min•Ep. 166
James and Al let loose on the hypocrisy of Herschel Walker and the so-called Religious Right, and bring on veteran Ohio political analyst Howard Wilkinson to look at the Democrats’ midterm prospects there. Then, they welcome military analyst Michael Kofman to break down the latest developments in the Ukraine War including annexation, the nuclear option, conscription, and more. Is Russia finally on the ropes? Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @poli...
Oct 06, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 165
James and Al emphasize the importance of addressing climate change in light of the massive storms brewing on the East Coast, and give us a general overview of the state of the midterms with just over a month left. Then, they bring on Nevada Independent CEO Jon Ralston to break down the politics of his state, and how we can expect Democrats to do there in the upcoming election. Email your questions to James and Al at [email protected] or tweet them to @politicon . Make sure to include you...
Sep 29, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 164
It Was Said, the 2021 Webby Award winner for Best Podcast Series, returns with a new season to look back on some of the most powerful, impactful, and timeless speeches in history. Written and narrated by Pulitzer Prize winner and bestselling author-historian Jon Meacham, this documentary podcast series takes you through another season of ten generation-defining speeches. Meacham, along with top historians, authors and journalists, offers expert insight and analysis into the origins, the orator, ...
Sep 28, 2022•5 min•Ep. 163
